Going to Vegas leaves California a winner with repeat victory in Rodeo Drive Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. - Going to Vegas is leaving California via the Santa Anita winner’s circle.
Making what is likely her final start in the state, Going to Vegas led throughout the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mare at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Going to Vegas ($7.20) won the race for the second consecutive year.
Going to Vegas earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5. The following day, the 5-year-old Going to Vegas is scheduled to be sold as a racing or broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Kentucky.
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“If she comes out of it good, I see no reason not to take a swing at Keeneland,” said winning trainer Phil D’Amato.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Going to Vegas won the $301,000 Rodeo Drive by 1 1/4 lengths over a fast-closing Family Way, the 5-2 second choice.
Going to Vegas set a moderate pace of 23.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.60 for a half-mile. She led by 1 1/2 lengths after a mile and had a two-length advantage with a furlong remaining.
Going to Vegas won in 1:59.41, getting a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.
The Rodeo Drive is the second major stakes win this month for Rispoli and D’Amato. They teamed to win the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship on Oct. 1 with Masteroffoxhounds, who also led throughout going 1 1/4 miles on turf.
“It looked like a carbon copy of when Umberto ride Masteroffoxhounds for me,” D’Amato said.
Family Way was sixth in a field of seven in early stretch under Mike Smith.
“I was hoping they would pressure the winner a little more,” Smith said. “It would have helped me. She ran a dynamite race.”
Bellamore (34-1) finished third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in her Grade 1 debut. Fluffy Socks, the 3-2 favorite, finished fourth, followed by Scarabea, Queen Ofthe Temple, and Neige Blanche.
Going to Vegas, by Goldencents, has won 8 of 28 starts and earned $989,150. A former $50,000 claimer, Going to Vegas won her fourth stakes in the Rodeo Drive.
Owned by Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing and the MyRacehorse syndicate, Going to Vegas ended a five-race losing streak dating back to the 2021 Rodeo Drive. At the time, she was trained by Richard Baltas.
Last November, Going to Vegas finished 11th in the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar after setting the early pace.
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